Convertible amusement and recreation device



May 1, 1962 D. R. SOUTHWOOD CONVERTIBLE AMUSEMENT AND RECREATION DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 16, 1959 May 1, 1962 D- R. SOUTHWOOD CONVERTIBLE AMUSEMENT AND RECREATION DEVICE Filed Nov. 16, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IVE/MW M fie BY May 1, 1962 D. R. SOUTHWOOD CONVERTIBLE AMUSEMENT AND RECREATION DEVICE Filed Nov. 16, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 i W JQJ/IZ J a iQM 3,031,688 CQNVERTIBLE AMUSEMENT AND RECREATEON DEVICE Dewey Robert Southwood, RR. 1, Orion, Ill. Filed Nov. 16, 1959, Ser..No. 853,134 3 Claims. 3!. -120) This invention relates to a frame for acrobats, and in particular a sheet of material stretched across a frame in spaced relation to a supporting surface and whereby stunts are performed by jumping upon the sheet of material, and also in which the supporting frame of the sheet of material may be used for holding the ends of a hammock or the frame may be inverted and. used similar to parallel bars or set-up and used as a wall of a swimming pool, or the like.

The purpose of this invention is to provide a trampoline including a sheet of material stretched across the upper end of a frame in which the frame may be used for other purposes.

The conventional trampoline is formed with rectangular shaped supporting frames and due to the stresses and strains resulting from a person jumping upon a sheet of material stretched across the frame side bars of the frame bend inwardly so that it is difficult to maintain a sheet of material in the upper end of the frame in tension. With this thought in mind this invention contemplates a trampoline frame formed in a circle so that it is substantially impossible for the continuous upper rail of the frame to bend inwardly and wherein two semi-circular sections of the frame may be assembled to provide a rocker for a hammock, parallel bars, or a support for a swimming pool.

The object of this invention is, therefore, to provide a universal trampoline wherein the supporting structure thereof is designed to be used for various purposes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a trampoline frame of circular formation whereby a sheet of material retained in stretched relation across by a resilient table is supported whereby tension is equalized throughout the area thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide a collapsible trampoline in which the parts may be used for a plurality of purposes and in which the trampoline is of simple and economical construction.

With these and other objects and advantages in view the invention embodies a circular rail supported at spaced points by vertically disposed legs in which legs of a semicircular section of the frame are of such a diameter that legs of the other semi-circular section of the frame telescope or slide therein whereby the two sections of the frame may be assembled to provide a semi-circular rocking element for supporting a hammock or the like or where the two sections may be assembled and inverted to provide a frame for acrobats, such as parallel bars and also wherein the frame may be provided with a liner for forming a swimming pool.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description taken in connection with the drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the trampoline.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the trampoline with parts broken away.

FIGURE 3 is a section taken on line 3-3 of FIG- URE 1 illustrating a connection between ends of semicircular rails of the frame.

*IGURE 4 is a side elevational view showing the two sections of the frame assembled to provide a semi-circular rocker in which a hammock may be positioned.

FIGURE 5 is a section through one side of the supporting frame of the trampoline showing a modification wherein the frame is reinforced with an intermediate bar.

3,ll3l,h88 Fatented May 1, 1962.

FlGURE 6 is a sectional plan taken on line 6-6 of FiGURE 5 showing the connection of one end of the intermediate bar to a post of the frame.

FIGURE 7 is a vertical section taken on line 7--7 of FlGURE 5 showing one of the posts of one section of the frame telescoping in a post of the other section of the frame.

FIGURE 8 is a side elevational view showing the two sections of the frame assembled with supporting posts to form parallel bars, or a frame for acrobats.

FIGURE 9 is a section taken on line 99 of FIG- URE 8 illustrating the mounting of the extension posts in ends of the frame.

FIGURE '10 is a plan view of the trampoline frame with parts broken away showing a plastic swimming pool liner supported by the frame.

FIGURE 11 is a side elevational view of the trampoline frame shown in FIGURE. 10 also with parts broken away.

FIGURE 12 is a section through an upper corner of the frame of the trampoline illustrating a typical snap connection of the upper edge of a swimming pool liner to an annular rail of the frame.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts. the improved trampoline of this invention includes a pair of semi-circular rails 10 and 11 connected at the points 12 and 13, as illustrated in FIGURE 3 wherein pins 14 secured, such as by welding, as shown at the point 15, in ends of the rail ii, extend into the ends of the rail 10 in which the pins are held by bolts, cotter pins, or the like 16. The rails it). and 11 are supported by tubular posts 17 and 18, upper ends of which are secured, such as by Welding, to the rails 10 and 11, as shown at the points 19. Lower ends of the posts. supporting the rails are provided with plugs 2% having base plates 21 secured to lower ends by screws 2?. whereby the frame is supported on relatively soft soil or upon uneven surfaces. The diameters of the posts 1 8 are somewhat larger than the diameters of the posts 17, whereby with ends of the frame disconnected the posts 17 slide into posts 13 to provide a semi-circular rocking frame, as illustrated in FIGURE 4.

A sheet of material 23 is stretched across the frame and the sheet of material is retained in tension by an elastic strap or cable 24 which extends around the upper rail and which extends through eyelets 25 in the edge of the sheet of material.

As illustrated in FIGURE 4 the sections 10 and 11 of the rail may be assembled to provide a semi-circular frame and the free ends may be retained in spaced relation by a cross-bar 26, the ends of which are provided with flat sections 27 by which the cross-bar is secured to posts 17 and 18 of the frame by screws 23 having nuts 2h on threaded ends. In this design a hammock 30 is supported in the semi-circular sections of the frame with ends 31 and 32 of the hammock secured to opposite sides of the semicircular sections.

In FIGURE 8 the semi-circular sections of the frame, shown in FlGURE 4, are positioned on extension posts or legs 33, upper ends of which are provided with pins 34 that extend into ends of the rails 10 and 11 and which are secured in position by cotter pins or screws 35. The lower ends of the legs 33 are provided with base plates 36, similar to the base plates 21, shown in FIGURE 2, and studs 37 extended upwardly from the base plates 36 are secured in position by pins 38.

In the design illustrated in FIGURES 10, 11 and 12 a tank having a bottom 39 with a continuous side wall 40 and having a tube 41 in a head 42 on the upper edge is positioned in the frame shown in FIGURES l and 2 and the upper edge of the tank is supported from the rails 10 and 11 of the frame by snap fasteners having pins slidably mounted in openings 43 of the fasteners and the pins are actuated by buttons 44 and retained in locking position by springs 45. Fingers 46 on upper ends of the fasteners extend over the sections and 11 of the rail and lower ends 47 of the fasteners are embedded in the material of the rim or head 42 extended around the upper edge of the wall of the tank. In this design the vertically disposed plastic tank may be reinforced by annular beads or rings 48 which may be of elastic, or other suitable material. The Water retaining swimming pool tank may also be made of other suitable material and the wall may be reinforced or supported by other means.

The snap fasteners are indicated by the numeral 49 and the pins thereof are indicated by the numeral 50.

The improved trampoline of this invention includes a collapsible stand and a sheet of material stretched across the upper end of the stand and held by resilient elements and when it is desired to use the stand for other purposes the sheet of material stretched across the upper end of the stand may be removed, sections of the stand separated and by inserting legs or posts of one section in legs or posts of the other section the two sections may be combined to form a semi-circular frame with rails at each side and with the rails retained in spaced relation by struts formed by the legs or posts.

With the parts in this position a hammock may be attached to the cross members and the frame may be rocked back and forth. To retain the members of the frame in original positions the extended ends are supported by a cross bar 26.

The semi-circular frame may also be used for muscle exercises, hanging by the knees, skinning the cat and chinning the bar. When used for these purposes the extension legs 33 are inserted in open ends of the side rails and supported on the studs of the base plates.

The parts may readily be taken apart to facilitate transportation, shipping, and storing.

It will be understood that other modifications, Within the scope of the appended claims, may be made in the design and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A convertible amusement and recreation device comprising a pair of semi-circular sections, each of said semicircular sections including a semi-circular rail, supporting posts depending from the semi-circular sections of the rail, the posts of one section of the rail being of larger diameter than posts of the other section whereby the posts of one section telescope in the posts of the other section to form a semi-circular frame, and a sheet of material stretched across said semi-circular sections.

2. A convertible amusement and recreation device comprising a pair of semi-circular sections, means for securing the sections together in spaced parallel relation to each other, said means comprising supporting posts extending inwardly from each of said semi-circular sections, the posts of one section of the rail being of larger diameter than posts of the other section whereby the posts of one section telescope in the posts of the other section to form a semi-circular frame, means connected to said uppermost posts for retaining the extended ends of said semi-circular frame in spaced relation, and a sheet of material stretched across said sections.

3. In a convertible amusement and recreation device, the combination which comprises a pair of semi-circular sections, each of said semi-circular sections including a semi-circular rail, posts having base plates on lower ends thereof extending from the sections and connected to the semi-circular rail of each section, the posts of one section being of a larger diameter than the posts of the other section whereby the posts of one section telescope in the posts of the other section, a rod extended across and connected to extended ends of said semi-circular sections, means for supporting a hammock in said semi-circular sections, and means for supporting the semi-circular sections in an inverted and also in an elevated position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 367,362 Browder Aug. 2, 1887 663,856 Browder Dec. 18, 1900 952,871 Browder Mar. 22, 1910 2,324,970 Wooliey July 20, 1943 2,580,942 Murad et a1. Jan. 1, 1952 2,749,956 Eldred June 12, 1956 2,793,375 Wardell May 28, 1957 

